The following "TD Tip" was recently added to the US Chess rulebook, https://new.uschess.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/US-Chess-Rule-Book-Online-Only-Edition-Chapters-1-2-11-5-11-20.pdf, to make it clear that the players get the increment for move one under US Chess rules (the players also get the increment for move one under FIDE rules):
"TD TIP: Not all digital clocks correctly give the increment for move one when you set increment on the clock. For clocks that don't, the increment time in seconds should be added manually to the base time, if possible, so each player gets the increment for move one. For example, for G/3;inc2, each player gets 3.02 (three minutes and two seconds) to complete move one. If the clock only gives 3.00 for each player’s first move when the clock is set—with a base time of three minutes and increment of two seconds—then, if possible, two seconds should be added to each player’s base time when setting the clock. If a game is started without the increment applied for move one, it is recommended that the TD not allow the clock to be subsequently adjusted to add the increment for move one. This failure to adjust the clock initially should not be allowed as grounds to contest a later time forfeit claim.
I hope the chess.com programming can be updated so it gives the players the increment for move one when playing a game with increment since this is the FIDE and US Chess rule and since US Chess online rated tournaments are run on chess.com.
Is it April Fool's Day again already? Boy, time flies!
The following "TD Tip" was recently added to the US Chess rulebook, https://new.uschess.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/US-Chess-Rule-Book-Online-Only-Edition-Chapters-1-2-11-5-11-20.pdf, to make it clear that the players get the increment for move one under US Chess rules (the players also get the increment for move one under FIDE rules):
"TD TIP: Not all digital clocks correctly give the increment for move one when you set increment on the clock. For clocks that don't, the increment time in seconds should be added manually to the base time, if possible, so each player gets the increment for move one. For example, for G/3;inc2, each player gets 3.02 (three minutes and two seconds) to complete move one. If the clock only gives 3.00 for each player’s first move when the clock is set—with a base time of three minutes and increment of two seconds—then, if possible, two seconds should be added to each player’s base time when setting the clock. If a game is started without the increment applied for move one, it is recommended that the TD not allow the clock to be subsequently adjusted to add the increment for move one. This failure to adjust the clock initially should not be allowed as grounds to contest a later time forfeit claim.
I hope the chess.com programming can be updated so it gives the players the increment for move one when playing a game with increment since this is the FIDE and US Chess rule and since US Chess online rated tournaments are run on chess.com.